Reflections on Christmas ‘09

November 5, 2009 · Filed under Reflections on the Text

I HOPE THIS ISN’T IT – A Ford Christmas Carol

Authentic Christianity – brings hope, reflects truth, shares love, hurts when others hurt, brings everlasting joy, offers community, springs toward faithfulness, imitates Christ, and more…

Empty Christianity – brings condemnation, is hypocritical, fuels pain, seeks self interest above the interest of others, springs toward confusion, is a closed system in one’s community, imitates the world, and so much more…

Let me tell you a story:

I was 12 years old. We woke up on Christmas morning. I put on my brand new blue flannel P.J.’s that my Grandmother had given me the night before at our Christmas Eve family get together. I rushed into the living room to look at what wonderful gifts I would be opening and playing with. And there they were. My brother and I tore into a few gifts. I was so excited. Greatttt! I got the robot that transformed into an evil insect people eater. That was just what I wanted. Alright!!! I got the camouflage pants.

Now I could hide in the woods with my neighborhood pals and be virtually undetectable by my brothers crew of friends. We could bombard them with pine comb grenades and they’d have no idea where we were. O.K. I got some black socks to wear to church, hey! I could wear these with my camouflage pants to increase my invisibility. In the mist of my present opening, as I began to run out of presents to open, I began to watch my brother dig into his stuff. Hey! He got the camouflage pants too. Now he would be hiding out in the woods too, and terrorizing me and my friends as well. He got the black socks too. No robot that transformed into an evil insect people eater, instead he got a hand saw for fort building.

Maybe I could borrow that from him sometime. Pretty soon all the gifts had been opened and he and I began toying with our new gifts. It didn’t take long for me to figure out how to convert my robot into an insect. After all I had about a dozen other robot toys that were a lot like it. As my brother and I looked around the opened gifts we both began to get a strange feeling. And we began to ask that question that semi-spoiled kids ask on Christmas – Is this it? I HOPE THIS ISN’T IT… We made eye contact with a little bit of a puzzled look on our faces.

I began to ponder the past years of Christmas mornings. Last year it seemed like we had gotten a lot more stuff. Didn’t we? I think there are many people in the world. People that are asking that same question my brother and I were asking. They don’t ask with words. They sometimes reveal the question through the decisions they make. Through their lack of hope and meaning that translates in the way they live their lives. They’ve gone all their lives and now they want to know – Is this it? Is this all life has to offer? Is this all I’m going to get out of this life? These people are those who haven’t experienced the Hope, the Peace, the Joy, and the Love that we have been offered through Jesus Christ. They feel like they should be getting more out of their lives, they feel like something is missing, they are left puzzled unsure of why they aren’t getting more. Like me at age eleven thinking to past Christmases, they think back to times in their life when things were different. When things were better.

Repeat…
“Authentic Christianity – brings hope, reflects truth, shares love, hurts when others hurt, brings everlasting joy, offers community, springs toward faithfulness, imitates Christ, and more…

Empty Christianity – brings condemnation, is hypocritical, fuels pain, seeks self interest above the interest of others, springs toward confusion, is a closed system in one’s community, imitates the world, and so much more…”

Back to story…

But they have no idea how their lives can be different. My Dad began to sense his twelve and thirteen year old’s confusion that Christmas morning.

He knew we felt like something was missing. So he spoke up. “Guys, I think there is one more gift to open. It’s down in the basement. My step mom urged us to put on our new Christmas totes – those cool thick socks with the tread on the bottom. We ran like wild horses to the basement to see what gift awaited. It was the greatest gift I’d ever gotten. A GO-CART. A fire engine red, single seat, 5-horse power, Go-cart. What I thought was going to be a big let down sort of Christmas was actually the best Christmas ever!

We as believers are kind of like my dad in my wonderful Christmas memory. We know where to find the greatest gifts. The Hope, the Peace, the Joy, and the Love. The greatest gifts are found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.      

The greatest gifts we can ever discover are found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Let us share the greatest gifts: the Hope of Jesus (see Isaiah 9:6). Let us share the greatest gifts: the Peace of Jesus (see Luke 12:13-14). Let us share the greatest gifts: the Joy of Jesus (see Luke 2:10). Let us share the greatest gifts: the Love of Jesus (see John 3:16). Let us share the greatest gift: Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 9:12-15). And Remember James 1:17… “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

In the Ford Christmas Carol I said “I HOPE THIS ISN’T IT.” I asked the question, as 12 years old on Christmas moring… “Is this all there is, Is this it?”

Claude Hickman wrote a book… Live Life on Purpose. It’s the first book I read after I moved to Fort Payne. I was a missionary. My mission was clear. When I changed jobs, there was a period of time that began in St. Louis MFUGE during the summer 2007, where I was asking the question about First Baptist Church Fort Payne… What’s my purpose.

Was I a cruise director? I know I didn’t go to seminary take 2 semesters of Greek, 2 Semesters of Hebrew, Preaching Classes, Missions Classes, Youth Ministry Classes, Survey of OT, Survey of NT, and Biblical Archeology to be CAPTIN STUBBING from the Love Boat.

No there is more. And it’s true for every born again believer. Sometimes we look around at the life we have and wonder why it doesn’t reflect a more historical significance. One stand up comedian says everyone wants to leave a leagacy…. You remember me forever (illustration) !!!

Hickman asked in his book… Do you ever look at the lives of people that have been Christians much longer than you and wonder why their lives aren’t more like the lives of men and women in the Bible. ILLUSTRATION… that’s why I love spending time with people that are being radically made new by God: missionaries like Jess, Marsha and David, & Lana Hall. Church staffers like Danny Courson & Ciaro Shiroma. New Believers like Neil Dodge and Byron Townsend. Church members like Bob Johnston and Lynn Brown. This revolutionary idea that (author and speaker) Henry Blackaby picked up on in the Scriptures, find where God is already working and join in… this is living a life of Biblical proportions in simple gestures and simple faith.

The first century Christians, many of them, knew what it meant to live life on purpose. We lose our purpose more easily in the 21st century. I think it’s the lighting….

Possibly point to Quotes from 1to 4 Sources…
1 For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit… start whenever you want… you can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that stop you. I hope you feel things that you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.
- Benjamin Button (the curious case of…)

Quote points to…

2 “Jesus calls his people to be passionate realists, to carry on with enthusiasm in light of what is real…In everything, passion prevails. In the new way, people know they’ve married wounded sinners who have no chance for recovery outside the grace of God. Marriage is a covenant of two people agreeing to recover together, each in different ways at different paces, both under the tutelage of the Teacher, Jesus”. – Charlie Peacock (new way to be human)

Quote…

3 (start with this one and depending on time share more about others) “It’s an unnatural life that the 21st century offers us. I think that there’s just too much. There is too much stimulus, the pace and the noise and the floresent lighting its a bit overwhelming. You know your principles, your ideals, your morals, they’re all for sale. I think there are a lot of problems we’re just not admitting. You know maybe we should all have this encounter group, “my name is Mark, I’m a member of the 21st century” and have a 12 step program for it or something.” – Mark Glen (frontier house @ pbs)

Quote…

“Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

Quotes…
Reference nate larkin’s book: Samson and David differences summary. Men we can’t isolate ourselves from family, church family, and our brothers in Christ. It’s true real men love Jesus. It’s also true real mean live their families and the family of faith. Let others enter into your world. Don’t try to go it alone. It will never work. It leads to addict, guilt, pain, and fear (all the things that hinder authentic faith)

Conclusion.

I hope this isn’t it. If that’s what you think about your faith journey. If that’s what you think about Church. If that’s what you think about Jesus. If that’s what you think about Christmas.

IN TRUTH, Life in Christ is more than you could ever hope for. You don’t have to live in regret and guilt, you don’t have to live in fear…

possible repeat
The greatest gifts we can ever discover are found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Let us share the greatest gifts: the Hope of Jesus (see Isaiah 9:6). Let us share the greatest gifts: the Peace of Jesus (see Luke 12:13-14). Let us share the greatest gifts: the Joy of Jesus (see Luke 2:10). Let us share the greatest gifts: the Love of Jesus (see John 3:16). Let us share the greatest gift: Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 9:12-15). And Remember James 1:17… “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

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Parenting This Generation – 11.04.09 – Another Resource for Parents of Teens

November 4, 2009 · Filed under Parenting This Generation

Hello Parents,

The subject of sex is often difficult to discuss with teenagers (or anyone for that matter).  Many students in our youth group have questions about sex.  Many want to wait until they are married to have sex but don’t know if it is possible.  I hope we can help teenagers come to a better understanding / clearer perspective about sexuality and choices. It is a difficult subject to discuss, and that is why I send you the following resource today.

 

 A New Resource for Parents of Teens that looks really helpful:

  1. Pure Parenting – Teaching Your Teen Why True Love Waits (for Parents of Teenagers @ First Baptist Church in Fort Payne)
    1. http://www.lifeway.com/e4/shop/?id=005213616
    2. If you would like to stop by the church, you can look over my copy of this book.
    3. Just give me a call and we can set up a meeting time

God bless,

Jeff Ford

Psalm 37:23-24

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THIS GENERATION – November 2009

November 1, 2009 · Filed under This Generation

DOES BEING A CHRISTIAN MEAN EVERYTHING IS GREAT ALL THE TIME?

I used to think the answer was yes. Maybe I didn’t say it, but my actions proved that I thought everything was supposed to be great all the time since I was a Christian. When bad things happened that I couldn’t explain with a simple Sunday School answer then I was left feeling confused and hurt.

James 1:2 says “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.” The truth is just because we follow Jesus, just because He is our Savior, Friend, and the Leader of our life, we are still going to face difficulties. One thing I’ve discovered as a believer is that difficulties are opportunities for spiritual growth. The Bible says in James 1:3 that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 1:4 says “endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. If you are going through some trials and difficulties know that your youth pastor, Jeff Ford, is here to help you carry the load. I am praying for you.

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FBC YOUTH AND DRAMA TEAM

We are currently developing new ministries for the summer of ’10. We hope to share drama, puppets, and music ministries with our community in some new and interesting ways. If you are interested in being a part of these teams see Amber Mc, Kim C, Kim P, or Jeff F. <><

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GREAT TUNES ON ITUNES 

City on Our Knees

(tobyMac)

 

How He Loves

(David Crowder Band)

 

Until the Whole World Hears (Casting Crowns)

 

What Faith Can Do

(Kutless)

 

Heaven and Earth

(Phil Wickham)

 

Yahweh (Hillsong)

 

Radiator

(Family Force 5)

 

Heaven is the Face

(Steven C. Chapman)

 

Glory to God Forever

(Fee)

 

The Motions

(Matthew West)

 

Although not with a “Christian Label” check out “Fireflies”

(Owl City)

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LET’S GO CLUB-ING

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (FCA) MEETS EACH FRIDAY MORNING AT FORT PAYNE HIGH SCHOOL. PLEASE SEE BILLY BROWN AND / OR SARA MCCUTHEON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MASTER’S MINORITY MEETS EACH DAY DURING BREAK AT FORT PAYNE HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL. SEE DEBRA STORY AND JOHN STANLEY FOR MORE INFORMATION.

SAVIOR @ SCHOOL MEETS EACH TUESDAY AND THURSDAY IN THE LIBRARY DURING THE 8TH GRADE BREAK AT FORT PAYNE MIDDLE SCHOOL. SEE KENDALL THOMPSON, LAUREN STORY, EVAN DOWNEY, AND MASON BALDWIN FOR MORE INFORMATION.

LET’S GO CLUB-ING PEOPLE!!! (CHRISTIAN CLUB-ING) <><

I KNOW I’M CHEEZY. SEE YOU @ “DA CLUB”

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FACEBOOK & YOUTH MINISTRY

Lately we’ve been trying to use facebook to help spread the word about youth ministry events. Facebook is great; however, I am always worried about leaving someone out when I use FB “Notes”. Another resource for youth ministry information is the following website: http://jeffandthea.wordpress.com

 

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Scripture Songs In The Toolbox of Our Lives

October 29, 2009 · Filed under Songwriting, LMB, etc...

10.29.09 10:07pm

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I’m planning on writing 52 simple songs (not lyrics just music – lyrics to the songs I am writing are actually pulled straight from the Bible) in 52 weeks. I understand at some level that by posting this on my seldom read blog and / or facebook page, I am a little more accountable to my friends and family in regards to completing my goal of 52 songs in a year. Many friends and family have encouraged me in my many musical pursuits over the last several years.

I also understand that myspace, facebook, and blogs in general can be a bit of a “me-fest” sometimes. I understand that I am a recovering ego-maniac, and this whole process can be a little odd if I take it too seriously.

I hope this is not what this songwriting exercise is about: LOOK WHAT I DID! But even as I type the words, I know that I am self-promoting at my core. Call it original sin. Call it the life of an artist in the local church. Kind of like the kid at the public pool that keeps shouting for older kids to watch him go off the diving board for the 100th time. His audience is a little bothered by the pesky kid, but they indulge him. So thanks for indulging me. I promise not to ask you how big my splash was.

So rather than put the attention on myself, I want to draw people’s attention to the words on the pages of Scripture. I hope each song is an offering of praise and obedience to the One that makes the flowers bloom. I want God to be honored and glorified through songs, smiles, and reflection on the beautiful words of the Bible. If these are songs that glorify God and minister to my own heart, that’s ok and that’s enough of a reason to pursue this goal, but honestly I really hope it ministers to others as well. I hope my friends and family will be encouraged to reflect upon Scripture in a new and interesting way.

Not to say that Scripture as song is anything new. This kind of use of Holy Writings pre-dates written history I suppose. Yet I find through random google searches that Scripture songs have been delegated almost exclusively to the children’s music rack. I hope this can change. I hope these songs become simple tools that allow Scripture to resonate in my life and maybe in the lives of others as well. I’ve been working on this new 52 week songwriting project for ten weeks now.

What I have so far are ten separate chord progressions for the following passages:

1. Psalm 119:9-10 (G – C – Em – D) repeat

2. Philippians 4:13 (weird chords… lots of barred Es that I haven’t a name for today) repeat

3. Joshua 1:8 (Em – C – A – B progression reminds me of an M. Night Shyamalan film) repeat

4. Romans 8:28 (Em – C – G – D)

5. John 15:5 (variations on D position 7 fret with & without pinky, then fret 5, fret 3, then D)

6. Psalm 32:8 (C-Em-D)

7. Philippians 4:6-7 (G-C pluck and pick – finish with D)

8. Psalm 51:10 (G-D-C-D)

9. Galatians 2:20 (Am on 4 – E on 5 – E on 7 all barred)

10. Isaiah 40:31 (D with pinky right before change – Em – C)

Through putting music to the 52 Scripture passages / 65 verses, I am able to better commit God’s Word to memory. I did not select the verses. The seminary I attended did. The seminary president recently challenged their students and alumni to memorize 52 passages over the course of 52 weeks. The website that gives the memory challenge is http://www.nobts.edu/Publications/BibleReadingPlan.html . I really believe that Scripture memory and Bible reading are some of the most important tools that we can carry in the toolbox of our lives.

I have done some home recordings over the past few years. A few of these rough recordings are posted on myspace: www.myspace.com/jeffreyford . I may record the Scripture songs and post them sometime in the next few weeks / months. I may also add verses to a few of the Scripture songs eventually. I’m pretty open with people about my desire to hear my musical creations on the airwaves one of these day. I just think that would be so cool. To write a song, and then hear someone else sing it on the radio. But maybe that’s not in the cards, and I am ok with that too. Well thanks for reading. In the Grip of His Amazing Grace, jeff

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THIS GENERATION – October 2009

October 29, 2009 · Filed under This Generation

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD ‘09
Samaritan’s Purse is a ministry with many volunteer opportunities. Operation Christmas Child / Shoebox Ministry is one of their projects that the church family @ FBC Fort Payne has worked with in the past.
The website… www.samaritanspurse.org has lots of great information. You are invited to participate in operation Christmas child on November 23rd (Monday during fall break, the same week as Thanksgiving). We will depart from the church at 9am, so try to arrive a few minutes before 9.
This year we will assist in Birmingham, AL instead of Atlanta, GA at the request of the folks at Samaritan’s Purse. Parents of teenagers are also invited to join us for the wonderful ministry opportunity. Sign up is in the youth room. Let me know if you are interested in joining in this missions endeavor. You need to bring about 15 to 20 dollars for food expenses. Thank you.

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IAMSECOND

I recently came across some really wonderful videos of various testimonies online. The former member of the band Korn, Brian, shared an amazing story of his brokenness and need for God. The author of “Samson and the Pirate Monks”, Nate Larkin, shared of God’s ability to rescue him from an extremely destructive addiction. American Idol contestant, Jason Castro, shared of his commitment to Jesus and how like Christ, he sought to be a servant to others.

Athletes, Musicians, Actors, and Everyday Joes have all been impacted by the Grace of God. It is quite refreshing to hear of the power of God at work in the lives of others. If you follow Christ, you also have a testimony to share. I just wanted to encourage you today to visit http://iamsecond.com , and think about your own story. You don’t have to be famous, in the eyes of the world, to share your story. Even you have a story to share.

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A FALL RETREAT THANK YOU

I think (even though many students were unable to attend the entire retreat due to sickness) our ‘09 Fall Retreat was a wonderful event. We missed seeing many of our friends at the retreat due to the flu and other nasty illnesses; however, most of our friends that were sick are much better now. Glad many are feeling better, and I hope everyone stays well.

A special thanks to Brandon Moore (our camp pastor) and Adam Blalock (our guitar player) for making this year’s retreat so special. We were also blessed to have many adults and college students / bcm-ers in the mix. Thank you Erik, Pennie, Melanie, Todd, Buffy, Amar, Justin, Matthew, Hope, and Autumn. Many students have shared with me the powerful way that your ministry in their lives has made a positive impact. Thank you for shining the light and sharing your life with teenagers.

Please pray that the concept of trust as detailed in Proverbs 3:5-6 would continue to resonate in our lives as we continue to grow up in our faith.

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LOOKING BACK ON THIS MONTH:

October 2, 3, & 4 – FBC Fort Payne Fall Retreat @ CamptoknowHim

 

October 7 – Special FCA Worship Service @ FPHS

 

October 11 & 12 – Parent and Student Basketball Game & Lock-In @ MBC

 

October 18 – Youth Choir led Worship @ FBC in the AM J

 

October Tuesdays & Thursdays – Savior @ School: New Middle School Christian Club, See Kendall Thompson for more info.

 

October 23 – Trip to Chattanooga especially for Senior High Girls

 

October 25 – Special PM Worship Service & S.N.A.C. Costume Party @ Debra and Lauren Story’s House

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PARENTING “THIS GENERATION”

FBC Youth Ministry began sending out a weekly note of encouragement to parents of youth this month. We send it through regular email and facebook. The archive of notes can also be found at this website:  http://jeffandthea.wordpress.com (the entries to the blog are organized by category, just click on the “parenting this generation” category. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, just email me: jeff@fbcfp.org

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Parenting This Generation – 10.28.09 – I Am Second

October 29, 2009 · Filed under Parenting This Generation

Hi Parents of FBC Youth,

Visit: http://iamsecond.com/ on the web, and check out the wonderful testimonies of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I mentioned this wonderful website at church last Sunday. I believe the testimonies of the men and women that have chosen the way of Jesus will encourage your heart and the heart of your teenager.

God bless,
jeff ford

ps… some of my favorites include: nate larkin, jason castro, brian (the korn band member), the baldwin brother, the nascar driver, the girl from the biggest loser, and the little girl from bridge to terabithia <><

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John 17:20-26: Unity Among Believers…

October 22, 2009 · Filed under Reflections on the Text

Anytime I turn to John 17, I can’t help but think about my friend Naomi.
I have a friend from my Jacksonville State days (Naomi) that thinks this chapter is the most amazing thing she has ever read. I met Naomi when she was a freshman in college. We were in a student Bible study group together. She would bubble up with excitement, whenever we talked about this chapter, and exclaim “Jesus is so awesome.”

Tonight we are going to explore the final verses (20-26) in chapter 17, and hopefully we will discover the same thing that my friend Naomi discovered, that “Jesus is so awesome.” Jesus is our only hope. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is our Leader. Jesus is awesome, magnificent, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Jesus is worthy to be celebrated, embraced, and worthy to be placed on the throne of each of our lives.

verse 20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

This beautiful and challenging prayer was not just for the disciples of Jesus’ time. It was not exclusively for the 1st century followers of Jesus. Jesus was praying for those who would believe through the 1st disciples’ message.

Put another way, the intercessory prayer was prayed by Jesus for:
The disciple Peter told someone in the book of Acts about Jesus. That guy told someone else, and that guy told a lost person, and that new believer told his brother, and the brother told his sister, and she told her children, and her children told their friends, and one of their friends told another person, and another person told another person, and so on and so on, and then not too long ago someone told you.

So it’s easy to see that our faith family at first baptist church in fort payne, AL is a part of something much larger than we can even comprehend most of the time.

Jesus prayer was for his first disciples, first century converts, first baptist fort payne, or whoever, the guy that lives down the street, the lady you see at work each day, it’s for your greatest friends, and it’s for your greatest enemies, and it was for you and me.

So when we read this prayer, study this prayer, and begin to get a firm grasp on what Jesus is praying, we can know that this prayer is for us as much as it was for Jesus 12 closest followers and friends.

Knowing that Jesus prayed for you should give you the joy and confidence that God intends for you to have.

verse 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Unity among believers – not the easiest concept. Unity among the many believers throughout the world is not easy when we try to bring about the unity through our own efforts.

Keeping all of the different personalities, perspectives, and attitudes that make up the Christian population together and headed in the same direction may be a lot like the students that are involved in our church’s youth ministry… costumed students take to the floor.

Unity within the church is achieved just as the unity between our heavenly Father and his Son Jesus. The unity is sometimes difficult to understand. The unity doesn’t really apply to natural laws of life that we know. This type of unity is supernatural.

Keeping a group of believers united as God is to the Son is a miraculous feat that only God can perform. One Baptist preacher I know made a reference to this idea of “herding cats” as an illustration regarding the difficulties

The body of Christ is explained further in Romans 12:4-6.

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…

This passage in the book of Romans explains that even though members of the body of Christ are doing all types of different things, and we are not all called to perform the same function, we all belong to one another. The oneness in Christ is achieved through the selfless giving of ourselves. The passage says that we possess the many different gifts of service to God according to God given grace.

We must work in unity as the Father did with the Son because all that we do is made possible through the grace of God and only through this amazing grace.

John 17
verse 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:

Glorify means to give honor, to lift up, to exalt.

Jesus says he has lifted those God had given up. He had honored them and exalted them. He lifts up his believers, believers like you and me, to his Father in heaven not because of our accomplishments, our usefulness, or our qualifications.
He says in verse 22 that he has given his believers glory for a purpose. This purpose is so we may be one. Oneness like this is what enabled a small group of disciples to turn the world upside down with the message of Jesus Christ.

If we can catch the vision that those first disciples caught, if we can truly be one with our brothers and sisters in Christ, then we can make a historical impact on the world just like those Galileans in the New Testament did.

The concept of being one within the body of believers cannot be achieved unless differences are set aside. By simply leaving divisive issues to the side, we can impact the world. When we all can turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face, then I believe these things will become strangely dim in the light of his glory and his grace.

verse 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Our unity in Christ Jesus brings about an automatic result. If we are truly unified then the world will know the true identity of Jesus. Not only will the world gain understanding and a knowledge that God has sent his only Son to bring about eternal life, not only will people begin new and wonderful lives in fellowship with Jesus, but lost people of this world will also know the truth about God’s love.

If we as believers can be unified as God is calling us to be then the people that we come in contact with daily that do not know who Jesus really is will be able to experience for the first time ever: love, real love, God’s love, a love that sent God’s only son to the cross to die for the dirty, sinful hearts of every man, woman, boy, and girl.

verse 24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Jesus doesn’t pray that he will meet with followers on the occasional Sunday. He wants to know us much better than that. He wants us to be with him wherever he is. In the early morning he wants to meet us in prayer with him, in late hours of the night we can fellowship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and all the times in between. Between when we get up in the morning and when we lay our heads down on the pillow to go to sleep at night, Jesus wants us to be ever close to Him.

The concept of fellowshipping with Jesus at any time of day was coupled with the concept of service to God by the author Henry Blackaby. He said that to experience God’s will for your life we should find out where God is already working and join in.

This is where Jesus wants us to be. Verse 24 tells us he wants us to be: wherever he is.

verse 25 Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you sent me.

The world doesn’t have a clue who God is. Verse 25 says that the lost people of this world can know God through the one God sent. Jesus is the bridge between a lost world and a holy and loving God.

This verse makes us have a clearer understanding of how Jesus serves as our bridge for a relationship with God. This bridge illustration is often used in tracks. The world doesn’t know and is really incapable of knowing the God of Heaven and Earth. Jesus is the only one who can bridge this gap and bring about fellowship and communion with the Lord.

When Jesus prays in verse 25 that ‘they know you sent me’ , if you are already a believer, you can remember back to when you first knew that God sent Jesus. You can remember back to the first time you uncovered, with the help of the Holy Spirit, who Jesus was and what you needed to do to begin a relationship with him.

If you are not a professing believer in Jesus Christ, you may be at the crossroads tonight.
If you have never bridged the gap between yourself and God with Jesus as your bridge today may be the day.

verse 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.

The Love of God and Jesus Christ himself is in us if we have already accepted the invitation that has been laid out before us.

The Love of God and Jesus Christ may be far from our hearts if we have never made that first step. Today could be the day for you. I have lived my life both ways. I have resisted God’s call in my life and denied Jesus when he has beckoned for me to invite him into my heart. This is the most miserable experience that I have ever had. Then I have also accepted God’s invitation. I have said yes to God’s call in my life. Everything didn’t get easier all the time, but when things tough, now I am able to find rest in my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. I am able to find rest in the mist of tough times.

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October 2009 Opportunities…

October 20, 2009 · Filed under Missions Stuff

October Ministries & Missions

Fall Retreat – October 2, 3, & 4
We had a great fall retreat experience in ’09. Our camp pastor, Brandon Moore, traveled from First Baptist Orange Beach to be with us. Brandon is also a youth pastor (like me). Our musical guest was our old friend from “Four Days Late”, Adam Blalock. Several students were unable to attend due to sickness; however, everyone seems to be on the mend now. The theme for the week was TRUST. We focused on Proverbs 3:5-6 in our studies. Highlights include: the zip line, the iceberg, the campfire, the crazy games with Amar and company. God blessed our time together. I think many of us came away from the retreat refreshed and revitalized.

Golden Circle Program – October 6
I enjoy writing songs, singing songs, and playing guitar. The Golden Circle (the fbc fp senior adult group) welcomed me into their meeting this month. I shared my testimony and played old songs and new songs. God has really blessed me with several opportunities to lead worship and share songs with a variety of people in many different settings lately. This was a great time. Special thanks to all those at the Golden Circle for their encouragement to me personally as well as their wonderful support of fbc youth ministry and missions.

Special FCA Service – October 7 (just music)
Billy Brown and Sara McCutheon helped to organize this event. David Walker also assisted with sound. The guest speaker at the event did a fantastic job. Thanks also to Coach Commins for his leadership with FCA. We cancelled our regular Wednesday night service to worship together with community churches / youth groups for this “Field of Faith” Event. Both High School Clubs: Master’s Minority and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at FPHS are a blessing to hundreds of students at the school.

Master’s Minority – October 7
I get opportunities to share devotionals at this FPHS club occasionally. We continue to pray for and encourage students to attend this excellent meeting. The club meets Monday through Friday at Break. God has done some amazing things through this student led club. It is always a blessing to be a part of these meetings.

Parent Basketball Game & Lock-In – October 11 &12
We had originally planned to have a “girls sleep over” and “guys campout” on the evening of the 11th; however, due to a grim weather forecast, we decided to do the bball thing as well as a lock-in. The students were out of school on Monday (Columbus Day), so the Friday night event was a great opportunity to give students something fun to do. About ten parents took to the Minvale BC gym floor on Sunday night after church. We had a great time. The students won. But the parents are looking forward to rematch in ’10. Several testimonies were shared at the ballgame / lock-in as well.

Youth 555 – 7, 14, 21, & 28
We are having a great turn out lately on Wednesday nights @ FBC. Feel free to join the fun some night soon. My favorite Wednesday night in October was the 14th. Amar Patel (a member of our fbc college Sunday school class – led / taught by Joey Downey) and his amigos shared wonderful testimonies on the 14th. The students have really grown fond of this group of college students. Many of them joined us earlier in the month as leaders at our ’09 Fall Retreat.

Savior @ School – 8 & 15
We have a new middle school club that a few of the sweet middle school students from fbc started. Please pray for this new club as they seek to meet twice a week during break for devotionals and prayer.

Crowne Health Service – October 20
One of my favorite local ministries as @ one of local nursing homes (Crowne Health). This gives the senior adults living at Crowne an opportunity to worship together each week. For more information on this wonderful ministry see Martha Stout @ fbc.

Rotary Club – October 20
I recently was given the opportunity by Tim Fiquett to share at the Rotary Club. My topic was Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child. Everyone at the meeting was extremely encouraging. I hope to get another opportunity to share the Rotary Club and various other civic organizations in Fort Payne in the future.

Northeast Baptist Campus Ministries – October 28
As I share this report, I am looking forward to sharing a devotional on the 28th at Northeast Community College. Pray for Amar and his brothers and sisters in Christ as they seek to make a difference on their college campus.

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Parenting This Generation – 10.21.09 – Mark Your Calendar: November 23

October 20, 2009 · Filed under Parenting This Generation

Samaritan’s Purse is a ministry with many volunteer opportunities. Operation Christmas Child / Shoebox Ministry is one of their projects that the church family @ FBC Fort Payne has worked with in the past. The website… www.samaritanspurse.org has lots of great information. Your teenager is invited to participate in operation Christmas child on November 23rd (Monday during fall break, the same week as thanksgiving). This year we will assist in Birmingham, AL instead of Atlanta, GA at the request of the folks at Samaritan’s Purse. You, as parents of a teenager are also invited to join us for the wonderful ministry opportunity. Sign up is in the youth room. Let me know if you are interested in joining your child in this missions endeavor. Thank you.

Additional information on Samaritan’s purse (Local and Global) ministry efforts & fbc partnership:

(Locally)
Last November (’08) the Youth Group at First Baptist Church traveled to Atlanta, GA to volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child.

On September 26, 2009 Jeff assisted with a special Operation Christmas Child Regional Kick-off Worship Service in Birmingham, AL – Featured “full circle story” Speaker: Anca.

Today’s “Parenting This Generation” message should be an encouragement to you to visit the Samaritan’s Purse website. Your family would be greatly blessed by participating in a service project in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse.

(Globally)
A Couple of Interesting Articles from the Samaritan’s Purse Website…

Kids and Families in the U.S. Unite to Help Millions of Suffering Children Worldwide – The World’s Largest Christmas Project – Shoe Box Gifts Help Bring Joy to 8 Million Needy Kids in 100 Countries

BOONE, N.C., Sept. 17, 2009— Imagine a child who has never owned something as simple as a hair brush, a toy ball or even a pencil.  It is the reality for millions of children worldwide.  This year, U.S. kids are working to change that reality – and they need your help.

Through Operation Christmas Child, U.S. kids, families, churches, school groups and civic organizations are playing an important role in helping children around the world who are suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, poverty and famine.

A kids-helping-kids project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, Operation Christmas Child hand-delivers shoe boxes packed with school supplies, toys, necessity items and often a hand-written note of encouragement.

“I think it is special to these kids that I don’t know them and yet I’m giving them a gift. They probably think, ‘wow, she cares and doesn’t know me,” said 12-year-old Kassie Miller, who packed 401 shoe box gifts in 2008.  This year her goal is to pack 500 Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered shoe box gifts to more than 69 million hurting children in more than 130 countries.  Staff and volunteers use whatever means necessary – ships, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, helicopters, boats, camels, even dog sleds – to reach suffering children.

Samaritan’s Purse uses tracking technology that allows donors to “follow your box” to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need.  To register shoe box gifts and find out what country they are delivered to, use the EZ Give donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org.

To volunteer or learn how to pack and send an Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift, call (828) 262-1980 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.  National Collection Week is Nov. 16-23; however, shoe box gifts are collected all year.

International Relief Organization Samaritan’s Purse Responds to Recent Natural Disasters in Asia – Disaster Relief Teams Now Working in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Samoa to Bring Help to Victims of Storms and Earthquakes @ www.samaritanspurse.org

BOONE, N.C., Oct. 6, 2009— In the past week typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis have ravaged parts of Asia killing thousands and leaving many more homeless. Now Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief teams are on the ground in the Philippines, Indonesia and Samoa and helping families by providing plastic for temporary shelter, medical supplies, food parcels, water filters, hygiene kits and tools to begin the rebuilding process. The Samaritan’s Purse response includes:

Philippines Response:
• A total of 4,400 food packages have been distributed to provide for more than 20,000 people. These distributions are taking place in evacuation centers and to displaced people living along a flooded lake.
• Distributions of 650 additional food parcels will be distributed in metro Manila by Thursday.
• Provided 2,100 blankets, 2 community water filters, 1,056 hygiene kits, and 2 water storage units in Manila.
• The team is planning to take 15 tons relief supplies and 2,600 food parcels to the hard-to-reach areas of the north Luzon region. This will require a 14-hour journey to reach storm survivors in very isolated places who have not received any assistance.
• A water filter that produces 10,000 liters of safe drinking water a day has been allocated to a church in metro Manila
• Volunteer teams led by Samaritan’s Purse will begin clearing mud and debris, as well as helping people salvage their belongings from 150 flooded homes in a fishing village in the Bulacan region.
Samoa Response:
• A shipment of relief supplies is set to arrive this week with 100 rolls of plastic, 700 hygiene kits, 1,400 blankets, and an emergency health kit that can provide medical care for 10,000 people for three months.
Indonesia Response:
• The team on the ground is providing 1,000 temporary shelters, tool kits, blankets, hygiene kits and food parcels. Tool kits include saws, hammers, gloves, shovels, boots, and nails. Food parcels include bread, sugar, salt, and salt fish. Hygiene kits include soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, and combs.
• Two mechanical water filtration systems are being shipped to Padang, each capable of filtering 10,000 liters of water per day.
Samaritan’s Purse is a non-profit organization that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations-especially in locations where few others are working. Samaritan’s Purse has worked in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.

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Explore the website to discover the answers to all of these frequently asked questions…

Frequently Asked Questions: 1. What is Franklin Graham’s role? 2. What is the difference between Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan’s Purse? 3. What other ministries besides disaster relief and Christmas shoeboxes is Samaritan’s Purse involved in around the world? 4. How can I get involved? 5. How can I give? 6. What about the history of this organization? 7. What is the purpose of Samaritan’s Purse in one concise statement? (answer to # 7: Samaritan’s Purse exist to meet emergency needs in crisis areas through existing mission agencies and national churches.)

Last thing… We Can: Think Globally & Act Locally. <><

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Parenting This Generation – 10.14.09 – An Encouragement to Parents

October 14, 2009 · Filed under Parenting This Generation

Another Tool in the Toolbox for Parenting Teenagers…

An excerpt from Steve Wright and Chris Graves’ book “A Parent Privilege”…

Everyone would label Frank’s family as core members of their church… Frank told me, “Steve, as my wife and I were raising our boys I realize that we believed that our job was to bring our boys to church. We truly believed that if we could find a good youth program and keep our children active, then they would continue to serve Christ. We realize now that this belief system, no matter how earnestly we believed it, did not hold true for us.

Frank’s story is all too common. We now see around two-thirds of young people leaving the church around the time of graduation… I write this book for you – parents – to encourage you, to inspire you, to equip you, and to resource you. I also write as a dad with great concerns about the world in which we live, but great hope in the Gospel. You have an incredible privilege in front of you, the apparent privilege to disciple your children (in the way of our Savior and Leader: Jesus). I pray this book strengthens you in your task.

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM YOUR YOUTH PASTOR, JEFF FORD…

THE BOOK (A PARENT PRIVILEGE by Steven Wright and Chris Graves) IS A BOOK THAT NEW YOUTH MINISTER FRIENDS AT THE LIFEWAY YOUTH MINISTRY CONFERENCE (in Nashville, TN) RECOMMENDED TO ME. I AM READING IT NOW. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BORROW MY COPY, I WILL BE HAPPY TO LOAN IT TO YOU.

I ALSO JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I LOVE AND PRAY FOR EVERY STUDENT @ FBC FORT PAYNE. I PRAY FOR THE STUDENT AND HIS OR HER FAMILY. I PRAY FOR YOU THAT YOU WILL GROW IN GOD’S GRACE AND MERCY. YOU ARE ONE OF MY GREATEST RESOURCE AND ENCOURAGEMENTS AS A YOUTH PASTOR. THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING, TEACHING, AND TAKING ME ON THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY AS WE UNITE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF TEENAGERS.

LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN SERVE YOU,

JEFF FORD

jeff@fbcfp.org (email address) www.fbcfp.org (church website)

http://www.facebook.com/jeffandthea  (i’m actually checking this site for email messages also)

http://jeffandthea.wordpress.com/ (website details the ford family ministry adventures, joys, journeys, & challenges)

You can also contact the church office to reach jeff (256.845.2015), and if I am not in the office, just ask debra or nancy for my cell phone number. Thank you again for your encouragement.

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